Roberts likely to rejoin Orioles this weekend

Second baseman Brian Roberts is continuing his rehab assignment with two games today at Triple-A Norfolk, including the resumption of a suspended game from last night. He most likely will come off the disabled list and rejoin the Orioles for this weekend’s series against the New York Yankees at Camden Yards.

Roberts went 2-for-4 with a double and two runs scored Tuesday night, and he walked twice on 18 pitches last night before rain forced the Tides’ game against Columbus to be suspended.

“I think we have a chance to see Brian sometime over the weekend,” Showalter said. “He’s progressing well.”

Showalter said Roberts will be the regular second baseman once he returns to the 25-man roster. He also indicated that Ryan Flaherty and Alexi Casilla could remain with the team, as they did on opening day before Roberts suffered a hamstring injury in the third game at Tropicana Field. The Orioles still have room for three second basemen.

Roberts and Flaherty could be used as designated hitters on occasion.

In other rehab news, outfielder Nolan Reimold agreed to extend his assignment at Double-A Bowie beyond 10 days, and he’s likely to be activated on Tuesday when the Orioles are in Chicago for a three-game series.

The White Sox are scheduled to start three left-handers in the series, and the Orioles could use Reimold’s right-handed bat.

Position players are allowed to remain on a rehab assignment for a maximum of 20 days, but they have to give their consent beyond 10 days. Today is Reimold’s 10th day.

Reimold had three hits yesterday for the Baysox, making him 5-for-33 with 12 strikeouts in nine games. He’s expected to remain with them through the weekend, rather than joining another affiliate.

“The good news is his leg feels really good. He’s not having any problems with the hamstring,” Showalter said. “It’s just getting comfortable at-bat wise. He had three hits yesterday and I’m hoping that kind of gets him going. He’s not far away. But some of the stuff he had done in the off-season, this is going to be good for him to play consistently like this and know his body is going to respond.”